Reflection – Early Christian Prayer
This early Christian prayer seems modern and poignant for today: Look upon us, O Lord,and let all the darkness of our soulsvanish before the beams of thy brightness.Fill us with holy love,and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom.All our desire is known unto thee,therefore perfect what thou hast begun,and what thy Spirit has […]
Reflection – Faith
This short film encourages thoughts and challenges an opening of the mind about faith and what it means in every day life. Why are we hear? What are we searching for and what is our purpose? Hear Christians talk about what they’re seeking in their life and how their Christian faith makes at impact in […]
Further reflection – Spirit
John 14:24-26 ‘Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind […]
Reflection – Spirit
This is a lovely story about being moved to help people in need. All of us can be torch bearers. We can carry the light through volunteering, serving and participating. https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/about-us/our-campaigns/darkness-light/torch-bearers/canon-robert-townsend-lifeboat-volunteer/ Accredited to Church In Wales.org.uk
Reflection – Praise my soul the King of Heaven.
The words of this hymn give a sense of being saved when sinking. Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;To His feet thy tribute bring!Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,Who like me His praise should sing?Praise Him! praise Him!Praise the everlasting King! Praise Him for His grace and favorTo our fathers in distress!Praise Him still the same […]
Reflection – Footprints
This poem is rather overused, and some might say trite, meditation but I’ve always found the following comforting, especially when combined with prayer: One night a man had a dream.He dreamed he was walking alongthe beach with the Lord.Across the dark sky flashed scenes from his life.For each scene, he noticedtwo sets of footprints in […]
Reflection – Peace and Serenity
The words and tune of ‘Dear Lord and Father of mankind” bring peace and serenity in difficult times The hymn is usually sung to the tune “Repton” by Hubert Parry. This recent version from St Michael and All Angels Church Mickleham, Surrey is beautiful. Reflection Psalm 103 1-111 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and […]
Reflection – Ezekiel 36:25-27
God’s promise through Ezekiel is uplifting ‘I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead’. The short film of wild swimmer Louise Mason is inspiring We should give total respect and admiration […]
Reflection – Simon The Fisherman
It is always lovely listening to a good story. This well-known story comes to life here….. https://www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/video/watch/simon-the-fisherman Accredited to Sanctuary First, Falkirk Presbytery, Church of Scotland.
Reflection – Reconciliation
Wonder at the greatness of Rembrandt’s painting and reflect on its portrayal of asking for forgiveness. Reading – Luke 15: 20-24 “So (the younger son who had wasted all his money] returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he […]
Reflection – God listens
The assurance that God will listen when we call him is comforting….. the hymn ‘Be thou my vision’ is peaceful and this version sung by the Tabernacle choir is uplifting:
Reflection – Eagle’s wings
An extract from a project on the Isle of Wight to reintroduce White-tailed Eagles to the South. They look totally free. Project Officer Steve Egerton-Read describes how up to 60 white-tailed eagles are being returned to the southern England in the next 5 years to re-establish it as a breeding species. Please note that not […]
Reflection – Do not be afraid, Isaiah 43 1-5
The hymn ‘Do not be afraid’ has beautiful words written by Gerard Markland about trusting God that are very moving. There are two versions to listen to here – St Andrews Cathedral choir and an upbeat Gospel Touch choir – both are equally current and uplifting, based on Isaiah 43 1-5: ‘Do not be afraid, […]
Reflection – Make me a channel of your peace
This prayer of peace known as The Prayer of Saint Francis is beautifully inspiring. Through the reading from Jeremiah we hear of God’s sadness if we do not listen. It is difficult to listen sometimes and the words of this hymn can help with travelling in the right direction and staying strong. BBC Radio 2 […]
Reflection – The Temptation in the Wilderness
This hauntingly beautiful painting of Jesus utterly alone in his experience and agonised, depicts how many of us may be experiencing our own ‘wilderness’ at the moment….. reading Deuteronomy chapter 8 may focus meditation on ‘wilderness’. To read more about the painting hanging in the Guildhall Art Gallery, London, taken from the book, “Famous Paintings” […]
Reflection – African Sanctus
The composer of African Sanctus, David Fanshawe, was fascinated by world music so, after completing his studies, he travelled up the Nile visiting Egypt, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya over a three-year period. He brought a small stereo tape recorder on his journey and would persuade local musicians to play for him so when he returned to the United Kingdom in 1972 he […]
Reflection – A Blessing
A friend shared with me the UK Blessing which had helped her immensely to prepare for a major operation and in her post operative care in the ICU. I think it’s such a beautiful and powerful song. At this unique and challenging time in the United Kingdom over 65 churches and movements, representing hundreds of others, […]
Reflection – Isaiah 55, Psalm 25 and words to Hymn ‘I heard the voice of Jesus say’ (Tune Kingsfold)
The words written by Horatius Bonar of ‘I heard the voice of Jesus say’ reflect the sense of Isaiah 55 and Psalm 25 and are comforting. The piano improvisation by Jonathan Tan on the tune ‘Kingsfold’ provides a moving background while reading the words:‘Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty, though you […]
Reflection – Do not be afraid, Isaiah 43 1-5
The hymn ‘Do not be afraid’ has beautiful words written by Gerard Markland about trusting God that are very moving. There are two versions to listen to here – St Andrews Cathedral choir and an upbeat Gospel Touch choir – both are equally current and uplifting…. based on Isaiah 43 1-5: ‘Do not be afraid, […]
Reflection – Les Colombes
Last year the Cathedral hosted ‘Les Colombes’ the exhibit of paper doves by German artist Michael Pendry which was at Salisbury Cathedral in 2018 to spread a message of peace and hope. A message we can’t spread too often. https://coeuretart.com/introducing-michael-pendry/